Popcorn is one of the tastiest snacks around. Served at ball games, movie theaters and even in the comfort of your own home, it's easy to make a snack that's both tasty and satisfying. Now, while popcorn may be a delicious snack, if you eat it regularly, you may be asking yourself, "is popcorn good for you?" When prepared the correct way, with nutritious toppings, popcorn can be great for you. And because of its portable nature, it's a convenient on-the-go treat that kids and adults can enjoy no matter where they are.
Wondering just how good popcorn is for you? Keep reading as we review the important nutritional benefits of popcorn and the difference between purchasing premade popcorn vs. making your own.
What Is Popcorn?
To fully understand popcorn and its many health benefits, it's essential to know what popcorn is. So, what is popcorn exactly? Popcorn is a specific type of corn that combusts or "pops'' when exposed to heat. Uncooked kernels of corn contain trace amounts of water at their core. The heat used to cook the grains causes the water to expand and the seed to explode.
Discovered nearly 5,000 years, popcorn has continued to grow in popularity due to its versatility and price. Today, popcorn is sold as kernels, in pre seasoned bags, and already popped. It's also one of the most beloved movie theater snacks around!
Popcorn Nutrition
When you head to the movie theater and pick up a bag of buttery popcorn to enjoy during the show, you likely see it as an indulgence instead of a healthy snack. While buttery movie theater popcorn may not be that great for you, popcorn seasoned with whole food ingredients can be a nutritious treat. In fact, popcorn is one of the fastest cooking whole grains there is! Popcorn is naturally high in various essential nutrients that are great for your health.
Curious to know what nutrients plain popcorn contains? In addition to being low in calories and fat, it’s a good source of dietary fiber.
Popcorn Has the Potential to Be a Healthy Snack
While we've covered the potential benefits of popcorn and its nutritional makeup, it's important to note that we are solely talking about air popped popcorn, not the buttered bag of popcorn you get at the movie theaters. While popcorn tastes delicious with various toppings piled atop of it, these toppings can quickly turn this healthy snack into junk food. If you're eager to make a healthy treat that the entire family will enjoy, we recommend sticking to natural, wholefood popcorn seasonings and toppings.
Popcorn Is Low in Calories
When popped by air, popcorn is an incredibly low-calorie snack and can help with weight loss. All you need is a hot air popcorn maker. Or, for those who want to test it out before purchasing a full maker, opt for a more budget-friendly version like a microwave popcorn popper bowl. Popping this healthy snack by air is a great way to ensure that it remains a low-calorie treat free of all the saturated fat found in movie theater popcorn.
The Difference Between White and Yellow Popcorn
That being said, not all popcorn is created equal. When walking through the whole grain section of your local grocery store, you may notice two different types of popcorn available, yellow popcorn and white popcorn. While similar in taste, both varieties have unique characteristics that separate them from each other. Continue reading to learn about the different types of popcorn and the health benefits of each.
White Popcorn
White popcorn, commonly referred to as rice popcorn, is most easily identified by its small kernels that look similar to rice granules. When popped, these little kernels result in a soft, crunchy grain that expands nearly 40 times its original size. While white popcorn can be flavored in countless ways, most people enjoy it with a pinch of salt and butter. Because white popcorn is smaller and delicate to touch, a little seasoning goes a long way. Due to the small amount of seasoning needed to create a flavorful treat, white popcorn often remains light and healthy. Additionally, the smaller kernels of white popcorn speed up the preparation time, as not much heat and oil are needed.
Yellow Popcorn
The main difference between yellow popcorn and white popcorn is the size. Yellow popcorn is larger in size. It comes in medium to large kernels that expand even more than that of white. Forty-five times their initial size, to be exact. When fully cooked, yellow popcorn is much fluffier than white. Its durable nature makes it easy to add thicker toppings, like peanut butter and chocolate, making it a favorite amongst kids and adults alike. Much like the name, yellow popcorn also holds a faint yellow tint that can be seen once popped—this yellow color is derived from vitamin A (carotene).
Homemade vs. Store-Bought Popcorn
So, for the final question. If you're searching for healthy popcorn, should you make your own or buy it pre-popped/packaged at the store? While there are brands on the shelves that use minimal ingredients, the best way to know exactly what your popcorn has in it is to make it at home. By making your popcorn at home, you can keep track of the ingredients and nutrients that are in it. Home-popping your popcorn also gives you the ability to customize it to your taste buds. From sweet to savory popcorn, you can choose from countless recipes to create the popcorn of your dreams.
The Endless Options of Popcorn Toppings
If salted and buttered popcorn is all you've yet to try, then you are surely missing out. When it comes to popcorn, there are endless options for toppings. In fact, there's popcorn for nearly every craving. Want something spicy? Add a dash of chili powder or tajin seasoning to plain air popped popcorn. Why not also try our Chia Chile Lime Popcorn recipe. Are you itching for something sweet? Turn popcorn into a dessert by adding chocolate to it. Or, if you are seeking something more savory, season your popcorn with olive oil and your favorite herbs.
Popcorn's versatility is one of the things we love most about it. Because you have control over what's added, you can make the perfect popcorn for your taste buds. Additionally, you can ensure that your popcorn remains a healthy snack by only adding wholesome ingredients to it. Nearly any flavor you can think up, you can create a popcorn topping out of. Need a bit of inspiration to get started? Keep scrolling to discover a couple of our favorite popcorn recipes.
Popcorn Recipes
The Savory: Herb and Ollie (Olive Oil) Popcorn
Do you love visiting the movie theater solely so you can indulge in a large bucket of buttery popcorn? For most of us, popcorn is a nostalgic treat that transports us back to our favorite theater, drive-in, or family movie night. So, what if we told you that you could make movie theater popcorn, right in your own home? This Herb and Ollie Popcorn Recipe tastes nearly identical to the popcorn you'll find at the theaters, with a twist! Follow this step-by-step recipe that uses ingredients like our yellow popcorn, olive oil and Herbes de Provence to create a melt in your mouth popcorn that you can enjoy guilt free. Make this homemade popcorn to enjoy with your family, or set it out as a healthy appetizer at your next get-together.
The Sweet: Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Popcorn
What's better than popcorn as a snack? Popcorn for dessert, of course! This sweet Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Popcorn will cover your sweet craving and nutritional needs. Made with our Chocolate Protein Powder Nutritional Booster, is a protein-rich treat the kiddos will go crazy for!
We hope that by reading this guide on popcorn nutrition, it's sparked a new love of popcorn for you. From essential nutrients to necessary vitamins, popcorn is packed with health benefits. And when made with wholesome toppings, it can be a healthy treat that you and the kiddos can enjoy weekly. Whether you choose to incorporate homemade popcorn into your weekly snack food rotation or test out a new recipe on your next movie night, we're sure that it's a treat you'll enjoy.
